Nikolai Vasilyevich Borodin was born in 1919 in the village of Verkhnyaya Khila, Zabaykalskaya Oblast, now part of the Shilkinsky District in Chita Oblast, Russia. Born into a peasant family, he completed seven grades of education and worked as an electric welder at a railcar depot, while also training at an aeroclub.
In 1939, Borodin joined the Red Army. By 1941, he had graduated from the Kharkov and then the Voznesensk military aviation schools for pilots, after which he served in the Far East.
Aviation Ace and War Hero
He joined the active army in April 1943, and upon arriving at the front, participated in the crucial aerial battle of Kuban. During his first two months of combat, Borodin, flying a Yak-7B fighter, shot down five enemy aircraft, earning him the Order of the Patriotic War 1st class.
Later, flying a Yak-9, he actively participated in battles in southern Ukraine, Crimea, and in the Belarusian and Vistula-Oder operations. He also contributed to the intense fighting in the Berlin direction.
Bold Actions and Achievements
On July 9, 1944, Nikolai Borodin was part of the fighter group that conducted the war’s first raid on German territory. By August 1944, as a Senior Lieutenant and Deputy Squadron Commander of the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, he had completed 239 combat sorties.
He participated in 75 aerial battles, personally shooting down 17 enemy aircraft. Additionally, through ground assault actions, he destroyed two more enemy aircraft on the ground, demonstrating remarkable skill and bravery.
Hero of the Soviet Union and Legacy
For his courage and military valor displayed in battles against the enemy, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on February 23, 1945. By the end of the war, Borodin had completed 265 successful combat sorties and participated in approximately 80 aerial battles.
His achievements included 19 enemy aircraft personally shot down and 3 more in a group with comrades. On June 24, 1945, he marched triumphantly across Red Square with the victorious soldiers, a distinguished Deputy Squadron Commander of the 43rd Fighter Aviation Regiment.
After the war, he continued his service in the Air Force. Tragically, Captain Nikolai Borodin died in a car accident on March 26, 1946. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner (three times), the Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, and several medals.